Album Review: Have We Met by Destroyer

Led by Dan Bejar, Destroyer take stylistic detours with every album. On Have We Met, the group dance around the edges of indie and synth-pop, in a way that’s beautifully atmospheric and nostalgic – though still fresh. Originally conceived as a Y2K-themed album, Have We Met explores the synthetic pop sounds and drum machines of the period.

The lyrics are poetic and striking, as Bejar conjures up vivid imagery. ‘Crimson Tide’, the album’s opener and lead single, is comprised of various phrases he scribbled in a notebook over the span of a decade. Each verse brings the listener to a new place with a new character – there’s no plot, no story, just a series of vibrant moments, creating a dreamy atmosphere that sets the tone nicely for the record. ‘The Television Music Supervisor’, a highlight, almost feels like a film score excerpt. In a nicely ironic touch, though, Bejar’s lyrics concern a disappointed music supervisor.

Destroyer also have their poppiest moment yet on the infectiously catchy ‘It Just Doesn’t Happen’, while the LCD Soundsystem-style synths on ‘The Raven’ are equally irresistible. For a record that consists of so many artificial sounds, Have We Met feels incredibly natural and warm. It deserves a few plays to fully appreciate – and each listen is more enjoyable than the last.